§ 1. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he proposes to have with the European Economic Community Council of Ministers about alternative sources of energy.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. John Moore)I hope that there will be an opportunity to discuss at the next Energy Council the Commission's proposals for increasing the funding of the present Community demonstration programme for alternative sources of energy.
§ Mr. KnoxI congratulate my hon. Friend on the progress made in this sphere, but is he satisfied that enough is being done in research into alternative sources of energy? Could not a major initiative be taken in this area while we have the Presidency of the Council of Energy Ministers?
§ Mr. MooreOne is never satisfied, but the Community is currently reviewing the status of the five-year demonstration programme with a view to seeing whether it might be increased. I shall take note of my hon. Friend's comments in that regard.
§ Mr. John H. OsbornCan the Minister say what will happen to the wave power programme? Is it part of the Community's activities?
§ Mr. MooreThere are two aspects of Community activities—the research and development programme and the demonstration programme. I was referring particularly to the demonstration programme. As Britain has a very large part of the Community's wave programme, we stand to benefit from the research and development side of that research budget.
§ Mr. PalmerWill the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the Government's intention to stop research on the wave programme in this country?
§ Mr. MooreThat is not specifically related to the question. But the Government have, quite correctly, made it clear they will, at all stages of research and development programmes, continue to keep them under review. That policy has in no way changed.